National Review calls Ron Johnson's Obamacare lawsuit frivolous

The conservative National Review on Wednesday called U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson's lawsuit over a component of Obamacare frivolous -- a charge similar to one made by U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner that exposed a rift within the Republican Party.

"The point, apparently, is to try to have a judge affirm that it is illegal for President Obama to exempt members of Congress and their staffs from the full financial burden of purchasing insurance through an Obamacare 'exchange,' Andrew C. McCarthy writes.

"The senator is right when he says the risibly entitled Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) does not permit this," McCarthy continues, but adds:

"All that said, however, it is no more constitutionally proper or practical for a legislator to sue the president over a public-policy dispute than for the president to violate valid laws."

Johnson's lawsuit prompted some friendly fire Tuesday between Sensenbrenner and conservative talk show host Charlie Sykes, with each telling the other to "get real." Sykes supports Johnson's suit.

Johnson has said about his lawsuit:

"I think it's just a basic issue of fairness. I really do believe the American people expect, and they have every right to expect, that members of Congress, the political class here in Washington, should be fully subject to all of the rules, all of the laws, that Congress imposes on the rest of America."

About Tom Kertscher

Tom Kertscher is a PolitiFact Wisconsin reporter and has authored two sports books: "Cracked Sidewalks and French Pastry: The Wit and Wisdom of Al McGuire" and "Brett Favre: A Packer Fan's Tribute."